"Real Madrid against Manchester United. Sir Alex against his friend Mourinho. The only shame is that it is not the final.

"We know we can beat them. We know they can beat us — but we will be ready."

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to win his third Champions League with United, while Mourinho is bidding to become the first manager to win the competition with three different clubs, and says their tough group stage has prepared them well.

"There were groups where you knew who was going to be first and second after two or three games," added Mourinho.

"But our group included three of the best five teams in the competition — Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and ourselves.